Zollie Kelman (c. 1926–June 23, 2008) was an American businessman who operated gaming machines in Great Falls, Montana. He founded the American Music Company in the 1940s. He was a coin collector and his coin collection became known as the Great Montana Collection.
Zollie Kelman | |
|---|---|
 Zollie Kelman | |
| Born | (c. 1926 |
| Died | June 23, 2008 (aged 85–86) |
| Occupation | Gaming business |
| Known for | Coin collection |
Background
editZollie Kelman was born c. 1926.[1] His parents were Jewish Russian immigrants and Zollie was born and raised in Minnesota. Kelman attended school until the 10th grade when he left to begin work.[2][1] He had one brother named Sidney who was born in Poland in 1922. Sidney began working with Zollie in 1953.[3]
Career
edit
Zollie Kelman started a family-owned business known as the Great Falls' American Music Company. The business was started in the 1940s and grew to have 700 games in 61 businesses.[2] The company leased, pinball machines, amusement and jukeboxes games to taverns.[1] In 1987 Montana state agents conducted raids on Great Falls area taverns where the Kelman had placed his gaming machines. Kelman was fined US$50,000 (equivalent to $134,095 in 2023).[4] Two of his other buisnesses were Zollie's Jewelry Exchange and World Wide Press.[2]
Kelman was also a coin collector.[2] He was able to empty out his gaming machines and he segregated and saved the silver coins. He involved his family in the sorting and they also became coin collectors. Zollie also collected paper money; in particular he liked to collect Black Eagle Silver Certificates. In total he collected about 6,000 of the Black Eagle dollars. In 2019, Zollie's son David opened a coin store in Great Falls.[5]
On October 24, 1976,[6] three black men broke into the home of Kelner hoping to steal his coins. His coins were said to have a value of US$250,000 (equivalent to $1,338,596 in 2023).[7] One of the burglars came to the door and told Kelman he had a special delivery. The three men wore masks and they broke into the home.[8] Kelner and his family were held at gunpoint while the burglars searched for his silver coins.[9] The burglars were not aware that a family member was in another room calling the police.[8]
Personal life
editHe died of natural causes on Monday June 23, 2008.[1] He was married to Evelyn Kelman and they had 4 children; Abby, Mark, Natalee, David and Darla.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Businessman Zollie Kelman dies". Billings Gazette. 26 June 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d Inbody, Kristen (12 October 2017). "Great Falls' American Music Co. sells to Billings gaming firm". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "Obituary for Sidney Kelman (Aged 81)". Great Falls Tribune. 29 June 2003. p. 12. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ "Gambling machines are bargain". The Billings Gazette. Associated Press. 9 July 1989. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ Spicer, Enya (28 March 2019). "Father and son keep family tradition alive in Great Falls' new coin store". Great Falls Tribune. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ "L.R. Bretz v. Zollie Kelman, Jack R. Lande, Eugene R. Welborn : Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit : Appeal No. 82-3111". www.plainsite.org. Think Computer. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ "Bretz Charges Dropped After Witness Vanishes". Independent Record. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Men charged with kidnapping, robbery in GF". Helena Independent Record. Associated Press. 26 October 1976. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ "Pryor Man Gets Prison Term". The Montana Standard. Associated Press. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ "Natalee Kelman". Great Falls Tribune. 12 July 2013.